carricante

Here comes one of the most beautiful interpretations of the white grape variety Carricante. Fresh, dynamic wine from Etna with a multi-faceted aroma of citrus, white peach, yeast, flint and smoke. Cool grapefruit, taut acidity and impressive mineral hints in the dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense bright straw yellow with gold. Fresh lemongrass dominates the nose, along with orange peel, yellow apple and some fumé. Spans the tongue in an interwoven way, a lot of minerality, shows a lot of freshness in the attack and course, animating saltiness, goes into the finish with a slight aftertaste." Falstaff

"Attractive aromas of green apple, pear, lime and kiwi with hints of salt follow through to a medium body with sliced-apple and green-pear flavors and bright, crisp acidity at the finish. Clean and beautiful." James Suckling

Beautiful white from Carricante that captures the energy of Etna and reflects its essence. Yellow stone fruit, mint, floral and spice aromas on the nose. Complex on the palate, full fruit and subtle minerality. Racy and sophisticated. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling lemon yellow with a drop of gold. Fragrant of fresh lime zest, yellow fruits, underlaid with flint. Plucky fresh on the nose, shows perky play, very lively, delicate salty minerality, stretches well into the length, with a fine spicy finish." Falstaff

"An attractive Etna dry white with a wide spectrum of citrus aromas, including blood orange. Juicy front palate, then the firm mineral acidity that gives it length charges through." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Carricante, the entry-level Pietradolce 2020 Etna Bianco is a fun and versatile wine made in a simple manner in steel vats to lock in freshness. The bouquet reveals citrus, white peach and crushed stone. Fruit is drawn from a five-hectare site at a high 750 meters above sea level with well-draining sandy soils mixed in with lots of stones. The wine is clean and snappy, and that pretty acidity adds lots of life and spirit to the bouquet." Robert Parker

Scent of lemon, white blossoms and quarry. It makes you want more. The southern drop from Etna does not disappoint in the mouth either. A lively acidity and a long mineral finish make this white a perfect food companion. Structure, elegance and pure white class from Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"Delicately shimmering pale yellow with a silver touch. Aroma of fresh lime zest, crisp green apple, lemon balm blossom in the background. Juicy, shows perky play, taut, shows itself quite light in weight, brisk in the drink, lots of tension in the finish, ends on salt lemon." Falstaff

"Flinty, floral and wickedly fresh, the 2020 Etna Bianco Buonora shows dusty dried flowers, incense, ginger and a balancing note of raw honey. It's soft-textured and pliant, balanced by an almost salty savoriness, as orchard fruits and herbal tones wash across the palate. Hints of crushed almond and pear linger through the mouthwatering finale as this remarkably pretty Carricante tapers off with tension. A pretty wine and a great value as well." Vinous

"Aromas of apricots, crushed stones, waxed lemon, grapefruit and floral tea. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity. Juicy and deliciously layered. Fruit and citrus evolve to mineral and saline notes. So fresh." James Suckling

"Boasting handsome forest-green packaging, the Tenuta Tascante 2020 Etna Bianco Buonora reveals a lean, almost transparent appearance with a dim spot of golden sunlight. The wine puts big emphasis on its mineral side with gorgeous definition and sharp tones of crushed oyster shell and aspirin, followed by faintly fruity and citrusy tones. In fact, more than fruit, the bouquet veers toward white flowers and jasmine, with a hint of white pepper. I love this minimalist, elegant style from Etna, and it should be interesting to see how this fleshes out with time. At the moment, it would make a great aperitivo with delicate crab cakes." Robert Parker

Beautiful, single-varietal white from Carricante by Planeta's Etna-Dependance. A youthfully exuberant growth full of freshness, energy and minerality. Grown under exclusive conditions on volcanic soils and at altitudes of 870 metres, this wine prepares an exceptional pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

Erse Bianco is a complex, dense cuvée of Carricante and Catarratto. Fruity and clear mineral tones on the nose. Powerful and at the same time very fine taste with a wonderfully agile acid structure and salty-mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Elegant, exotic-looking Etna Bianco with wonderfully wide aromas of tropical fruits, flowers and peach. Beautifully juicy, balanced and long on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale shimmering silver yellow. Pronounced aromas of lemon balm, freshly cut grass, tomato leaves in the background, a hint of fumé. Draws up with tension, very juicy in the drink, persistent with fine tension, ends mineral and on meadow hay." Falstaff

"This vivid and refreshing wine is an excellent introduction to the dry whites from Etna, with a wide spectrum of fruit aromas, from red apple to white peach via a slew of citrus. Sleek and polished, medium-bodied palate with lovely mineral freshness at the finish." James Suckling

Etna Bianco is made from the indigenous Carricante grape. A beguiling blend of aromas of fruit, minerals and roasted nuts, plus a fresh, round taste, good acidity and with a delicate sweetness in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The Carjcanti from our own vineyards on Etna deserves applause. Yellow, with green reflections. The bouquet reminds of apple, pineapple, brown butter and cinnamon, very aromatic on the palate, long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sweet almond paste, young peaches, hints of flint and smoke waft up from the 2018 Carjcanti. Its soft textures soothe, as a savory display of herbal-tinged orchard fruits and salty minerals washes across the palate. There's a lovely cut of acidity here as this finishes with youthful tension, revealing hints of hazelnut and inner florals." Vinous

"Lots of dried pineapple and chalky minerals on the nose, following through to a full, round and silky palate. Then, a tight, focused bead of mineral acidity kicks, which could take you by surprise if you're not familiar with this grape. There's a fresh, young feel to this. The journey has just begun." James Suckling

Donnafugata's impressive declaration of love for Etna, currently the hottest wine hotspot, began with the Sul Vulcano line. Carricante is one of southern Italy's most exciting grape varieties, capable of complexity and terroir-driven expression in the right soils. The vines for Donnafugata's only white wine from Etna grow on volcanic soils rich in minerals at 700-750 metres above sea level. The wine is fermented in steel tanks before being aged partly in concrete tanks and partly in second and third choice barriques for 10 months and then in bottle for a further nine months.

Straw yellow with golden reflections. Bouquet of white flowers and wild herb and citrus notes. On the palate it is full, fresh and spicy and closes with impressive freshness, elegance and an exciting mineral vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"Although this has tons of Etna mineral character, it's also a very elegant, medium-bodied dry white. Lovely interplay of white and citrus fruit with subtle herbal and caper character. Wonderful, long and silky finish with a touch of pine nuts. Super winemaking!" James Suckling

In the history of Etna, the eruption of 1614 is legendary, as it lasted ten years and is thus to date the longest recorded eruption of the volcano that is still active today. A very impressive and fitting name for Planeta's Etna series of equally impressive wines.

Carricante from Planeta's Etna vineyard is an exceptional growth full of freshness, energy and minerality. This noble grape variety thrives under exclusive conditions, on volcanic soils and at altitudes of 870 metres. A wonderfully complex pleasure that is always released for sale only two years after the harvest. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich straw yellow. Opens with fragrant notes of flint, fragrant bergamot, some peach, very appealing. Taut and clear on the palate, lots of juicy peach, so right to bite into, fresh and very good tension, citrus on the final." Falstaff

"Lemon-rind, pear and green-apple aromas follow through to a full body with a round, creamy palate of ripe and dried fruit that comes across mostly tropical. Creamy texture. Really tangy." James Suckling

"Racy acidity drives this lithe white, creating a lip-smacking frame for the expressive flavors of blood orange and white raspberry, slivered almond, petrol and grated ginger. Minerally finish." Wine Spectator

"Decidedly more savory than sweet and flinty as well, the 2018 Carricante Eruzione 1614 sends up a stunning bouquet of dried apricots, grilled orange and hints of white pepper. Its silky and pliant textures quickly gain a more tactile feel, as a mix of bright acids, saline-minerals, tart orchard fruits and sour citrus cascades across the palate. There are depths unseen here, as the 2018 displays a youthful density while remaining lifted, balanced and simply tempting the imagination as to what's to come with further cellaring. A beautiful Etna Carricante with a 10% addition of Riesling that shows tremendous tension. Well done." Vinous

"Delicious, crisp and showing a great depth of flavor, this white from the slopes of Mount Etna doles out juicy yellow apple, peach, wild herb and savory, almost salty, mineral notes. Made with Carricante and 10% Riesling, it has racy acidity, energy and captivating mineral tension before finishing on mouthwatering notes of honeyed lemon drop candy." Wine Enthusiast

"Slightly evolved and showing a deep sense of complexity and textural richness, the Planeta 2018 Sicilia Carricante Eruzione 1614 is yet another reason to love Etna's terrific Carricante grape. That extra time in bottle, tasted now three years after the harvest, produces dusty mineral definition and ashy volcanic tones. The wine is linear and precise with more austerity that raises the bar in terms of its food-pairing potential. A beautiful seafood platter with grilled prawns might do the trick." Robert Parker

Proud single vineyard Sicilian in small edition from 100% Carricante. Fine bouquet of citrus fruits and apricots. On the palate, a wonderfully juicy fruit paired with good structure, balanced acidity, fine minerality and appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Impressively complex nose of stone fruit and citrus, plus a whole bouquet of flowers. Concentrated and very elegant palate with excellent textural complexity. Long, celery-salt finish." James Suckling

Proud single vineyard Sicilian in small edition from 100% Carricante. Fine bouquet of citrus fruits and apricots. On the palate, a wonderfully juicy fruit paired with good structure, balanced acidity, fine minerality and appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Cottanera 2018 Etna Bianco Contrada Calderara is hitting prime drinking right now with perfumed notes of peach and orange peel, backed by candied almond and creamy custard. The Carricante grape is not normally this plush, soft and aromatic, but the Calderara is a special and deeply attractive wine. Some 40% of the total is fermented in oak and the wine is partially aged on the lees. These steps serve to further flesh out the wine's texture and volume. I especially love those glossy notes of latex or natural rubber. The wine is idea for a baked, flaky white fish." Robert Parker

Planetas Metodo Classico is an elegant Brut and single-varietal Carricante. Stimulating bouquet of yeast notes, freshly baked bread with a sesame crust and fresh, bright fruit, showing beautiful clarity and a subtle hint of butter on the palate, well structured and long. The perfect companion for brunch or a midnight buffet. SUPERIORE.DE

"Radiant and delicious, this lovely sparkler from grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Etna opens with inviting aromas of Spanish broom, underbrush, yellow stone fruit and Mediterranean scrub. The dry, focused palate delivers ripe yellow pear, nectarine, lemon drop candy and a hint of hazelnut alongside tangy mineral notes suggesting saline." Wine Enthusiast

Excellent the mineral Archineri from the ancient Carricante vine. With great clarity and freshness, it shows its typical aroma profile of apple, banana. Peach and citrus fruit. Fascinatingly dense on the palate with a velvety texture, a hint of chalk and a long mineral-complex finish. Pre-Phylloxera = from vines with no roots! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, pale straw yellow. Balanced and appealing nose, opens with notes of lemon, fresh peach and sage. Starts very clear and fresh, then spreads out nicely, nice game, long and salty." Falstaff

"Lovely aromas of pear pie with light vanilla and lime undertones. Full-bodied with tight, crisp acidity and a pear-puree and sherbet aftertaste." James Suckling

"The 2019 Etna Bianco Archineri is a pure expression of Carricante from pre-phylloxera vines. The wine is made in stainless steel and you get a very pure and precise taste of the grape as a result. This was a great growing season on Etna, resulting in nicely concentrated and shapely fruit, so that simple winemaking approach is well matched to the elegance of vintage material on hand. Peach, honey and crushed stone rise to the forefront of the bouquet." Robert Parker

Noblesse is the very first and still extremely rare bottle-fermented sparkling wine made from Carricante, the noble autochthonous white grape of the Etna volcano. The grapes come from 20-60 year old vines that are arranged both in traditional bush vine (albarello) and in rows in the Guyot cultivation system.

Pale straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Very delicately knitted and persistent perlage, fine foam. Intense on the nose, with delicate scents of orange and lemon blossom and ripe apple. Wonderfully fresh and dry on the palate, elegant, with pleasant acidity and a beautiful aromatic, finely yeasty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Fantastic Etna-cresence from vines up to 60 years old from a small single vineyard with wonderfully balanced iodine and citrus aromas. Softly flowing on the palate, profound on the palate, the fine acidity, inner sweetness and delicate wood note well integrated into the overall concept designed for a long maturation period. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright and mouthwatering, this lithe and expressive white offers a delicate skein of spice, which winds through the juicy flavors of nectarine, pineapple, lemon oil and Marcona almond. The crunchy finish chimes with hints of saline and petrol." Wine Spectator

"Welcome to the slopes of the smoking volcano! Intensely smoky and stony, this is quite a radical expression of this appellation with hardcore minerality at the long, sleek and tightly wound finish." James Suckling

This single-vineyard Carricante comes from the small vineyard Montalto, situated on the southern slope of Etna at an altitude of approx. 950m. It is the most balanced and at the same time the most exciting of all Etna Bianco from Terre Nere in its overall impression and aroma, here the whole Etna package is present in exactly the right dose: Minerality, saltiness, fruitiness and a perfect hint of flint on the nose. On the palate, it is vibrant and fine, with an almost Burgundian elegance, finesse and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet of orange blossoms leaps out of the glass at you and, on the medium-bodied palate, this has unusual succulence for an Etna dry white. Vibrant and properly dry, but also very harmonious at the well-structured finish." James Suckling

Unusual, but very interesting - a single-varietal Carricante grappa. Crystal clear, wonderful aroma of grapes, well-structured body and delicate mineral hints. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium expressive on the nose, yet inviting and elegant, dark fruit. Round on the palate with slight sweetness, gentle mouthfeel with good length." Falstaff

A' Puddara, a single-varietal Carricante, radiates pure energy and power. Lemon, peach, white flowers and mineral aromas on the nose, breathtaking elegance and class on the palate. The almost energetic, slightly salty and long flowing final makes this wine simply irresistible. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lightening lemon yellow with green shimmer. Fine herbs adorn the nose, along with green peppers and cold tea, Williams pear on the nose, a little smoky. Present and fresh in the drink, builds up in layers, fine minerality, vibrant and taut in the attack and course, persistently long in the final." Falstaff

Multi-layered aroma profile of dried apple, pear, camomile, exotic fruits and ash. On the palate full of grace, dry, fruity and intense, a delicate acidity and the fine minerality give freshness. Very elegant and attractive white from Etna with good potential and never-ending experience factor: every sip opens up new facets of this very special wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Girolamo Russo 2019 Etna Bianco Nerina is a charming white wine from volcanic soils with some of the softness and floral intensity of these indigenous grapes and the salty or mineral notes that come thanks to this volcanic territory." Robert Parker

Benanti's new white comes 100% from the small vineyard (Contrada) Cavaliere. The vineyards in the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodìa develop at considerable altitudes (about 900 m above sea level) with favourable conditions for all indigenous varieties, both red and white berries, grown here with Guyot pruning. Here, both the Nerello and the Carricante produce wines with a well-developed structure and varietal aromas. The vines, which are about 50 years old, stand on sandy volcanic soil that is rich in minerals. The climate is alpine, low in precipitation and provides the vines with a high degree of aeration and very large temperature differences between day and night.

Straw yellow with bright green reflections. The bouquet is intense, rich, generous and delicately fruity with hints of orange blossom and ripe apple. The palate is dry, mineral, harmonious with a pleasant acidity, aromatic pressure and an interesting aftertaste of aniseed and almonds. SUPERIORE.DE

"Stand back as this extremely intense and vibrant Etna dry white arrives! As many herbal and positively vegetal aromas as white fruit and citrus. Super-sleek and focused palate with a dangerous amount of mineral energy and samurai sword acidity. The finish lasts for minutes! Enormous aging potential." James Suckling

Fresh white from old vines with invigorating citrus scent and notes of mint, rich of tropical fruits, tight and firm, with elegant mineral note on the palate, with fine polish and high complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"A pure expression of oak-aged Carricante, the Graci 2018 Etna Bianco Arcurìa boasts a pretty golden hue and a touch of waxy honey in its luminous appearance. The bouquet opens to preserved lemon, apricot and toasted pine nut. There are hints of exotic spice with cumin and saffron that add more aromatic highlights. The wine sports a slight oxidative or open-knit personality, with candied orange and almond paste, that give this vintage a heavier and fatter overall personality. Mineral notes also appear and help to put the bouquet into better perspective." Robert Parker

"There's a lovely, viscous creaminess to the mouthfeel of this refined, light- to medium-bodied white, carrying a detailed range of Asian pear, chopped hazelnut, lime blossom and grapefruit sorbet flavors. It's vibrant and mouthwatering, with a lasting, mineral-driven finish." Wine Spectator

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard on Etna where an Etna Bianco may be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are grown like a little tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The easterly exposure and the nearby sea allow the grapes to ripen late, thus achieving very constant acidity values and resulting in a white wine of an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unparalleled even on Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lemon zest joins sour green melon, tropical florals and sweet smoke as the 2019 Etna Bianco Contrada Superiore Rinazzo comes to life in the glass. This is deeply textural with medium-bodied weight, casting notes of papaya, young mango and minerals across a stimulating core of citrus-laced acidity. That said, the 2019 is also youthfully dense, tapering off with persistence but also a structural tension that promises many more good things to come. Like many of the best 2019 Carricante bottlings, the Rinazzo is enjoyable today, but it also has the ability to excel over medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"This is like essence of lemon, with everything from flowers to candied fruit, plus touches of pastry and fresh bread. Very concentrated, with a exciting interplay of fruit and elegant mineral acidity. Very long finish, but this still needs some time for everything to knit together. Drinkable now, but best from 2023." James Suckling

In the beginning, the wines from Etna led a rather shadowy existence; the great potential of the wines, some of which were produced in very small quantities, usually only delighted connoisseurs. Even today, many of the winegrowers are so-called insider tips, as the wines produced in small quantities hardly appear on the international markets, or only in very homeopathic quantities. Like us here at SUPERIORE.DE, however, Angelo Gaja recognised the incomparable elegance and class, the minerality and the purist style of the Nerello and Carricante grape early on and therefore entered into a joint venture with Alberto Graci a few years ago.

The great prestige and the undeniably high value of the vineyards, which are up to 100 years old and parcelled out in small sections at an altitude of up to 1,000 m, then led to the purchase of land on the south-west side of the volcano, and in 2017/2019 they came onto the market with the red/white debut vintage. The project is called "Idda" - the local name of the Etna volcano, which the locals thus assign a distinctly female character. Idda Biancio 2020 is now the second vintage from complex, iron- and copper-rich soils at 630 to 820 m above sea level. Incidentally, these are - how could it be otherwise - among the oldest in the still young Etna DOC region.

What we spontaneously like about the Idda Bianco is the authentic Sicilian character of its cheerful bouquet. This delightful Carricante-based white opens with cedar, citrus, orange peel and cherries. The fruit is never heavy, instead offering elegant aromatic intensity followed by pistachio and perhaps a hint of wild fennel. The volcanic identity of the wine is on full display with ashy and salty mineral hints. Our unqualified enthusiasm for its creamy texture, length and energy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with silver reflections. Fragrant and inviting nose of juicy lemons, grapefruit, orange blossom, reverberating with subtle hints of flint. On the palate very juicy with a fruity core, tautens up great, slightly floral, nice aroma spectrum with great length and harmony." Falstaff

"Sliced pear and lemon with hints of pumice and white pepper that follow through to a full body with a tangy palate of Sicilian-lemon and pear character. A joint production from Graci and Gaja. Minerally and flavorful." James Suckling

"The 2020 includes 5ha of newly planted Carricante vines and it really makes a difference. It's as if the wine has come into sharp focus. It is vibrant, intense and precise. Aromas of cream, waxy lemon rind, smoke and struck matches are followed by lively, zingy Sicilian lemon flavours and white flowers enveloped in a gentle, creamy texture. Lively, invigorating and caressing at the same time." Decanter

"Hitting the market now, the 2020 Sicilia Bianco can perhaps be described as more Mediterranean in character next to the previous 2019 vintage (also tasted in this mini vertical) that appears more flamboyantly Sicilian in personality. This wine offers a greater level of depth and grace, and the inner complexity is also a far step above the other two releases. The main reason for this noticeable change is the increased presence of Belpasso fruit. This is one of three vineyard sites on Etna farmed by this formidable Gaja and Graci team, and it's the vineyard that shows the most promise, especially with regards to age-worthy whites. This bottle should hold up to the 10-year mark. Seeing partial malolactic fermentation, this wine is very specific to Carricante, with tangy citrus notes and orchard fruit followed by Mediterranean shrub oak and salty marine breeze. It is tonic, sharp and "electric" (a descriptor I eagerly borrow from Alberto Graci). This wine makes the argument that Carricante IS the vinous protagonist of Etna." Robert Parker